Size applicator having auxiliary squeeze rolls



r SI ZE APPLICATOR HAVINGAUXILIARY SQUEEZE ROLLS I Filed Jan. 16, .1968

May 6, 1969 L. GRIFFIN, SR

Sheet of '7 INVENTOR: I IRA L. GEJFFIN, 5R.

mmg wif ATTORNEYS May 6, 1969 1.. GRIFFIN, SR

SIZE APPLICATOR HAVING AUXILIARY SQUEEZE ROLLS Filed Jan. 16, 1968 Sheet INVENTOR: IRA L. GRIFFIN, 52

ATTORNEYS May 6, 1969 GRIFFIN, SR

SIZE APPLICATOR. HAVING AUXILIARY SQUEEZE ROLLS Filed Jan. 16, 1968 0 R H a m 0 V 5 "w 9% m N 3 Mm w L m l lw w r l h E m "U in A 7- Q n L 3 u 2 1 9 5 n 1 \11 L & W m m? n 4 Wu FIHKHHIIUL Wu H i l h u r 5 v I 9 \\\-\\\A E f G ff I f:

v 4 r I I L BWWLWMW ATTORNEYS May 6, 1969 1. L. GRIFFIN, SR 3,441,992

SIZE APPLICATOR HAVING AUXILIARY SQUEEZE ROLLS Filed Jan; 16, 1968 Sheet 4 of 7 INVENTQR.

L. 62mm, 512.

ATTORNEYS y ,1969 l. L. GRIFFIN, SR I 3,441,992

SIZE APPLICATOR H'AVING AUXILIARY SQUEEZE ROLLS Sheet 5' of 7 Fild Jan. 16, 1968 INVENTOR. IRA L. GR|FF\N,SR.

' WMJ MM v ATTORNEYS May 1969 L. GRIFFIN, SR 3,441,992

SIZE APPLICATOR HAVING AUXILIARY SQUEEZE ROLLS Filed Jan. 16, 1968 Sheet 6 of v IN VE N TOR J H .36 "I IRA L.G|FF1N,SE a 5 WWMEAMgmZM MN ATTORNEYS May 6, 1969 L. GRIFFIN, SR 3,

SIZE APPLICATOR HAVING AUXILIARY SQUEEZ E ROLLS Filed Jan. 16, 1968 v Sheet 1 7 of 7 INVENTORI IRA L. GRIP-Fm, S12.

ATTORNEY ,5

United States Patent 3,441,992 SIZE APPLICATOR HAVING AUXILIARY SQUEEZE ROLLS Ira L. Griffin, Sr., Charlotte, N.C., assignor to Ira L. Grilfin & Sons, Inc., Charlotte, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Jan. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 698,195 Int. Cl. D03i 1/02 US. Cl. 28--28 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to an improved size applicator for textile yarns and more particularly to an improved size applicator having an arrangement of squeeze rolls which permits the application of the proper amount of sizing solution to a wide variety of different types of yarn while the yarn is fed through the size applicator at a high rate of speed.

For many years, it has been the usual practice to apply size solution to textile yarns by means of a size applicator, generally referred to as a size box, having suitable rolls arranged to first immerse the sheet of yarns into the size solution and then pass the yarns through first and second pairs of spaced apart upper and lower squeeze rolls. This conventional type of size box operates satisfactorily at slow speeds for sizing cotton yarn; however, it is not practical for high speed operation and it is not satisfactory for uniformly applying various types of size solution to yarns formed of a mixture of synthetic and natural fibers, or to yarns formed solely of synthetic fibers.

In an attempt to overcome the problems connected with this conevntional type size box, different arrange ments of the rolls have been proposed in size boxes developed in more recent years. While these later developed size boxes have overcome some of the problems connected with the conventional size box, their usage has been limited because they do not provide the wide diversity of operation which is required to properly apply the correct amount of size to a wide variety of different types of textile yarns and also permit high speed application of the size solution to the yarns. Also, in many cases the roll arrangements of these more recently developed size boxes do not provide means for easy inspection and/ or removal of yarn lap-ups on the rolls. Because of the relatively high squeeze pressures required at the nips of the rolls, the rolls must have large diameters to prevent roll deflection. The squeezing pressure nip between large diameter rolls is not as efiicient as the squeezing pressure nip between a small and large roll or a pair of small rolls.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved size box which can be operated at a very high rate of speed to apply a uniform application of size to a wide variety of different types of yarns.

It is another object of the present invention to provide 3,441,992 Patented May 6, 1969 Ice an improved size box which includes a novel arrangement of rolls providing a plurality of successive applications of size and subsequent actions to the yarns to insure the proper application and penetration of the size into the yarns, and the roll arrangement permits easy inspection and/or removal of yarn lap ups on the rolls.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved size box wherein the arrangement of rolls is such that the yarns are continuously in contact with roll surfaces throughout their travel through the size box so that they are maintained in the proper spaced apart relationship and the yarns will not tape or become bunched together.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved size box wherein the rolls are arranged and supported in such a manner that as many as four or five squeezing actions may be applied to the yarns as the pass through the size box and the squeezing pressure may be selectively varied to achieve the desired amount and degree of application and penetration of size to the yarns.

These and other objects are achieved by providing horizontally-spaced first and second main squeeze rolls that are partially submerged in the size solution and upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls supported between and adapted to engage, respectively, upper and lower peripheral portions of the first and second main squeeze rolls. The first main squeeze roll is supported for movement toward the second main squeeze roll to normally press against the upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls and cause them to be pressed with equal pressure against the second main squeeze roll, thereby forming four yarn squeezing nips. The upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls are supported in such a manner that they may be pressed against the second main squeeze roll to form two yarn squeezing nips, even when the first main squeeze roll is moved away from and out of engagement with the auxiliary squeeze rolls. In one embodiment of the size box, a single pressure applying means is provided to urge the auxiliary rolls against the second main squeeze roll. In another embodiment, separate and independently operated pressure applying means is provided to selectively urge the upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls against the second main squeeze roll and the upper auxiliary squeeze roll is supported independently of the lower auxiliary squeeze roll to permit independent lifting of the upper auxiliary squeeze roll.

The novel arrangement of rolls in the size box of the present invention also provides additional advantages over any known type of size box. For example, the arrangement of the upper and lower auxiliary rolls sandwiched between the two main squeeze rolls permits the use of auxiliary rolls of relatively small diameter since they are pressed between large rolls and therefore are not subject to any substantial roll deflection. This roll arrangement also provides a substantially enclosed space or tunnel therebetween which aids in the application of the size solution to the yarn.

The speed of operation of the conventional size box is limited because the upper squeeze rolls sling size when rotated at increased speeds. The novel roll arrangement of the present size box permits much higher speed operation, since it overcomes the problem of slinging size because the upper auxiliary squeeze roll acts as a doctor roll and directs excess size down into the tunnel between the rolls. If desired, jets may be provided to direct moisture, such as steam, into the tunnel between the upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls to maintain the size in the desired condition. The formation of set marks on the yarn may be prevented by releasing the pressure on the upper auxiliary squeeze roll and the final upper squeeze roll just prior to stopping the size box when it is necessary to tie in a new .yarn beam, insert new lease rods, cut laps from the rolls, and the like. In addition to acting as squeeze rolls, the upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls also act as traction rolls to transmit rotative motion from the second main squeeze roll to the first squeeze roll.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the size box of the present invention, with the central portion broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a view looking at the entrance end of the size box with the left-hand portion in elevation and the right-hand portion in section, being taken substantially along the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of one side of the size box, looking inwardly at the right-hand side of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view through the side frame of the size box, being taken substantially along the line 44 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view through the central portion of the size box, being taken along the line 55 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating the manner in which the squeeze rolls are supported at one side of the size box;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded isometric view of the upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls and illustrating the support and pressure applying means therefor;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view of one side of a modified form of size box;

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the modified size box, taken along line 8--8 in FIGURE 9, with the rolls being shown in phantom lines; and

FIGURE 10 is an exploded isometric view of the upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls of the modified size box and illustrating the manner in which the rolls are supported and controlled.

Generally, the size box of the present invention includes a novel arrangement of rolls (FIGURE 5) for guiding the sheet of textile yarns Y through the size box in such a manner that the size S is successively applied and squeezed into the yarns a plurailty of times. The roll arrangement includes first and second spaced apart main squeeze rolls 20, 21 which are supported for rotation about parallel horizontal axes and are at least partially submerged in the size solution S. First and second auxiliary squeeze rolls 22, 23 (hereinafter referred to as upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls) are supported between the first and second squeeze rolls 20, 21 and in substantially vertical alignment with the peripheral surfaces of each of these auxiliary squeeze rolls normally forming hips with the first and second squeeze rolls.

The upper auxiliary squeeze roll 22 is normally positioned above the level of the size solution S while the lower auxiliary squeeze roll 23 is normally submerged in the size solution. An upper main squeeze roll 24 is supported above the lower main squeeze roll 21 and may be moved into and out of pressure engagement therewith, by means to be presently described.

Guide means, in the form of a guide roll 25, is provided for directing the sheet of yarns Y into the size box and in substantially a perpendicular direction through the nip of the first squeeze roll with the upper auxiliary squeeze roll 22. The yarns successively move along the first squeeze roll 20, through the nip of the lower auxiliary squeeze roll 23 with the first squeeze roll 20, beneath the lower auxiliary squeeze roll 23, through the nip of the lower auxiliary squeeze roll 23 with the second squeeze roll 21, along the second squeeze roll 21, through the nip of the second squeeze roll 21 with the upper auxiliary squeeze roll 22, through the nip of the upper squeeze roll 24 with the second squeeze roll 21, and over an exit guide roll 25a as they move out of the size box and to a suitable drying chamber or heated drying cans, not shown.

A doctor roll 26 is supported for rotation against the squeeze roll 20 and may have a non-smooth peripheral surface of the type disclosed in my U.S. Patent No. 3,284,- 869. Thus, from the time that the sheet of yarns passes into the nip of the rolls 20, 22 until it emerges from between the nip of the rolls 21, 24, it is constantly maintained in engagement with the peripheral surface of a. roll so that the uniform spacing of the yarns is maintained throughout the path of travel of the yarn through the size box and the yarns are not stretched, while in a wet condition in the size box.

With the roll arrangement shown in FIGURE 5, the sheet of yarns Y is subjected to five squeezing actions as it passes through the size box. The size is also alternately applied to opposite sides of the yarns as they pass through the size box and prior to each squeezing action, in a manner to be presently described, so that a uniform application of the proper amount of size is applied to the yarns and they may be passed through the size box at a high rate of speed.

The size box includes side frame members 30, 31 which are supported and maintained in spaced apart relationship by transverse support beams 32, 32a; 33, 33a (FIGURE 5) suitably connected at opposite ends to the frame members 30, 31. The support beams 32, 33 support opposite end portions of a suitable size tank 36 which is normally insulated and provided with suitable heating means, such as steam coils 37 for maintaining the size solution S at the required temperature.

The second main squeeze roll 21 is preferably stainless steel and is provided with outwardly projecting shaft portions which are supported in suitable bearings 40, 41 (FIGURE 1) that are in turn fixed on shelf brackets 30a, 31a attached to the inner portions of the respective side frames 30, 31 so that the roll 21 is supported for rotation in the size tank 36 and at least partially submerged in the size solution S. A suitable drive means, not shown, is suitably connected to the outwardly extending shaft portion of the squeeze roll 21 (shown extending beyond frame 31 in FIGURE 1). The drive means imparts rotation to the roll 21 in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 5 and at the required speed.

As the yarn Y enters the size box, it passes over a guide roll 42 (FIGURE 5) and beneath a tension or dancing rod 43-. Opposite ends of the guide roll 42 are suitably supported for rotation in bearing members connected to frame brackets 44 (FIGURE 1) which are connected at their inner ends to the transverse beam 32. The tension rod 43 is supported for vertical movement at opposite ends in guide brackets 45 (FIGURE 1) which are fixed to the frame brackets 44. Tension rod 43 is provided to take up any slack which is developed in the yarn, such as when the auxiliary squeeze rolls 22, 23 are moved to a raised position, for purposes to be later described.

The upper squeeze roll 24 is preferably rubber covered and opposite ends are provided with shaft portions which are rotatably supported in the free ends of pressure arms 46, 47, the medial portions of which are pivotally supported on the upper ends of standards 48, 49 that are fixed at their lower ends on the frame brackets 30a, 31a. The upper ends of control rods 51, 52 are suitably connected to end portions of the respective arms 46, 47 and their lower ends are suitably connected to pressure control cylinders 53, 54 which are supported on brackets attached to the side frames 30, 31. Air or other suitable types of fluid pressure may be directed into the lower portions of the cylinders 53, 54 to increase to any desired degree the amount of pressure with which the upper roll 24 engages the lower roll 21. Fluid pressure may also be directed into the upper portions of the cylinders 53, 54 to decrease the pressure of the upper roll 24 on the lower roll 21 or to raise the upper roll 24 completely out of contact with the squeeze roll 21.

The exit guide roll 25a is suitably supported at opposite ends for free rotation in bearings 55a, 55b. The bearings 55a, 55b are suitably supported on plates 56a, 56b which are fixed on the upper ends of posts 57a, 57b which are supported for vertical adjustment in brackets 58a, 58b (FIGURE 1) fixed on the transverse beam 33. Vertical adjustment of the posts 57a, 57b may thus be made to raise or lower the position of the exit guide roll 25a to obtain the desired exit angle of the yarn leaving the nip of the rolls 21, 24 (FIGURE 5).

The squeeze roll 20 is preferably stainless steel and is supported for movement toward and away from the squeeze roll 21 and into pressure engagement with the auxiliary squeeze rolls 22, 23. In the present instance, opposite ends of the movable squeeze roll 20 are provided with outwardly extending shaft portions which are supported in the lower ends of bearing support swing arms 56, 57 (FIGURE 1). The upper ends of the swing arms 56, 57 are fixed on respective shafts 60a, 60b which are pivotally supported in their medial portions in the upper ends of upstanding bearings 61, 62 which are fixed at their lower ends on the brackets 30a, 31a.

Lever arms 64, 65 are fixed at their forward ends to the outer ends of the respective shafts 60a, 60b and their other ends extend rearwardly and are suitably connected to the upper ends of piston rods 66, 67 that are operated by pressure cylinders 68, 69. The lower ends of the pressure cylinders 68, 69 are pivotally supported on suitable support brackets attached to the side frames 30, 31. The pressure cylinders 68, 69 are of the double acting type; i.e., air or other suitable types of fluid pressure can be directed into the upper ends of the cylinders to move the squeeze roll 20 toward the squeeze roll 21 and into pressure engagement with the auxiliary squeeze rolls 22, 23. Fluid pressure can also be directed into the lower ends of the cylinders to move the squeeze roll 20 away from the squeeze roll 21 and outof pressure engagement with the auxiliary squeeze rolls 22, 23.

The doctor roll 26 is rotatably supported at opposite ends in the lower ends of swing arms 70, 71. The upper ends of the arms 70, 71 are pivotally supported on the shafts 60a, 60b so that the doctor roll 26 rides on the roll 20. The doctor roll 26 limits the amount of size which can be carried over into the nip of the rolls 20, 22. When the squeeze roll 20 swings back away from the rolls 22, 23, the sheet of yarns Y will also move rearwardly so that the operator can easily inspect the rolls 22, 23 for lap-ups and the like.

Opposite ends of the auxiliary squeeze rolls 22, 23 are supported for rotation in the upper and lower ends of equalizing support brackets 72, 73 (FIGURE 7). The medial portions of the equalizer brackets 72, 73 are pivotally supported in the lower ends of operating levers 74, 75 which are fixed at their upper ends on the inner ends of respective shafts 76, 77. The shafts 76, 77 are pivotally supported in respective bearing blocks 78, 79 which are supported for vertical movement, in a manner to be presently described.

Lever arms 80, 81 are fixed at one end on the respective shafts 76, 77 and extend forwardly between the size tank 36 and the respective side frames 30, 31. The free ends of the lever arms 80, 81 are adapted to be at times engaged by the upper free ends of respective piston rods 82, 83 which are raised and lowered by pressure cylinders 84, 85. The upper ends of the cylinders 84, 85 are suitably supported on the lower surfaces of the respective frame brackets 30a, 31a and may be operated, for purposes to be presently described, to at times maintain the rolls 22, 23 in pressure engagement with the roll 21 when the roll 20 is swung rearwardly and out of pressure engagement with the rolls 22, 23.

The rolls 22, 23 may be raised from between the rolls 20, 21 and to an inoperative position, such as when it is desirable to clean the rolls or to cut away a yarn lap-up. To this end, the bearing blocks 78, 79 are suitably connected to the upper ends of respective jack shafts 86, 87 (FIGURE 7). The jack shafts 86, 87 extend upwardly from respective jacks 90, 91 that are in turn fixed to the lower surfaces of the respective frame brackets 30a, 31a. The jacks 90, 91 may be of the type shown in US. Pat ent No. 3,135,497 and are operated to raise and lower the jack shafts 86, 87 by respective drive shafts 96, 97. The drive shafts 96, 97 extend rearwardly between the tank 36 and the respective side frames 30, 31 and their rear ends are drivingly connected to a transverse operating shaft 98. Opposite ends of the shaft 98 are provided with hand wheels 100, 101 (FIGURE 1) which may be rotated to impart rotation to the drive shafts 96, 97 and thereby simultaneously raise or lower the jack shafts 86, 87 and impart like movement to both the auxiliary squeeze rolls 22, 23.

Guide rods 78a, 79a are fixed at their upper ends to the outer ends of the respective bearing blocks 78, 79 and extend downwardly through guide bearings fixed to the inner surfaces of the side frames 30, 31. The guide rods aid in keeping the bearing blocks 78, 79 in alignment as they are raised and lowered by the jacks 90, 91.

When the rolls 22, 23 are lowered to the operative position shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, pressure may be applied to the cylinders 84, to press the rolls 22, 23 against the roll 21 with any desired amount of pressure, regardless of the position of the roll 20. Normally, the pressure cylinders 68, 69 move the roll 20 toward the roll 21 and thereby apply pressure to the rolls 22, 23 so that they are pressed against roll 21 with any desired amount of pressure. Thus, the roll 20 applies equal pressure against the rolls 22, 23 and they are pressed against the roll 21 with equal pressure so that the yarn is squeezed with equal pressure at all four nips.

However, the cylinders 84, 85 may be used to increase the pressure of the rolls 22, 23 against the roll 21 so that the yarn is squeezed with greater pressure at the last two nips. The amount of pressure with which the upper squeeze roll 24 is pressed against the roll 21 may be varied as desired by means of the cylinders 53, 54 to thereby vary the pressure at the final nip. The roll 24 may be raised and held above the roll 21 so that the final squeeze on the yarns takes place at the nip between the rolls 22, 21.

The size level is preferably maintained above the level of the lower auxiliary squeeze roll 23, as shown in FIG- URE 5, and the rolls 22, 23 are pressed against the roll 21 by the roll 20 to provide four squeezing pressure nips therebetween. Because the rolls 22, 23 are sandwiched between the rolls 20, 21, the usual roll deflection problems are not present and it is possible to use rolls of relatively small diameters. For example, it is preferred that the rolls 22, 23 each be 5 inches in diameter, the roll 20 is preferably 6 inches, and the roll 21 is preferably 9 inches. The relatively small diameters of the rolls 22, 23 provide narrow nips which give a much better squeezing action than wide nips and the narrow nips also provide much better ejection of the size.

OPERATION During normal high speed operation, the rolls are positioned as shown in FIGURE 5 and the yarn Y comes into the size box over the guide roll 25, and passes downwardly through the nip of the rolls 20, 22. A limited amount of size solution is brought into the valley above the nip of the rolls 20, 22 by rotation of the roll 20, the amount of size being brought into the valley being regulated by means of the grooved doctor roll 26-. Some size is also brought into the valley above the nip of the rolls 20, 22 by the roll 22 so that the yarn Y is brought into contact with size just before it passes through the nip between the rolls 20, 22. The primary size application is to the lower sides of the yarn as the size is brought up into the valley by the roll 20.

The yarns Y remain in engagement with the roll 20 as they move into the size solution and down through the nip formed with the roll 23. The yarns Y then remain in engagement with the roll 23 as they pass therebeneath and they are again squeezed as they move through the nip between the rolls 21, 23. The yarns remain in engagement with the roll 21 as they move up and are again squeezed as they pass through the nip between the rolls 21, 22. The roll 22 also acts as a stripper regulator roll, permitting only a limited amount of size to be carried upwardly by the roll 21. The yarns remain in engagement with the roll 21 until after they are given the final squeeze as they pass through the nip between the rolls 21, 24, and out of the size box. Thus, in passing through the size box, as shown in FIGURE 4, size is alternately applied to opposite sides of the yarn after the successive squeezes. The yarn is squeezed a total of five times with two of these squeezes occurring while the yarns are submerged in the main body of the size solution.

The amount of size to be applied to the yarns will depend upon several factors; for example, the type and viscosity of the size, the type of yarn, the amount of pressure engagement of the rolls against each other, the speed of travel of the yarns through the size box, the level at which the size solution is maintained in the size box, etc. In some instances, it may not be necessary or desirable to apply the final or finishing squeeze to the yarns by the rolls 24, 21 and this may be easily accomplished by raising the roll 24 to an inoperative position. In addition to applying two squeezing actions to the yarn, the roll 22 also acts as a size regulator or stripper roll since it limits the amount of size which is brought up to the roll 24 by the roll 21 so that the roll 24 will not sling size even when the size box is operated at extremely high speed.

When sizing certain types of yarn, it may be desirable to apply a greater amount of squeezing pressure at the third and fourth nips between rolls 22, 23 and 21 than is applied at the first two nips between rolls 22, 23 and 20. This may be accomplished by applying additional pressure against the rolls 22, 23 by the cylinders 84, 85, after having applied a predetermined amount of pressure against both of the rolls by the roll 20. When a light set is being sized or when certain continuous filament yarns are being sized, it may be desirable that the number of squeezes on the yarn be reduced. This may be accomplished by raising the roll 24 to omit the final squeeze. Also, the first two squeezes may be omitted by swinging the roll 20 to a rearmost or inoperative position, out of engagement with the rolls 22, 23, while pressing the rolls 22, 23 against the roll 21 by means of the cylinders 84, 85. Thus, the present size box may be operated to apply as few as two or as many as five squeezes to the yarn as it passes therethrough.

MODIFIED FORM The modified form of size box (shown in FIGURES 810) provides even greater versatility than the first embodiment, although it includes substantially the same roll arrangement. However, in this second embodiment different amounts of pressure may be selectively applied to the upper auxiliary pressure roll and the lower auxiliary pressure roll against the second main squeeze roll. Since many of the parts of the second embodiment of size box are identical to corresponding parts of the first embodiment of the size box, the corresponding parts of the size box shown in FIGURES 810 will bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added.

As best shown in FIGURE 10, the auxiliary rolls 22, 23' are not rigidly connected together but the upper roll 22' is supported for vertical movement independently of the lower roll 23' and different amounts of pressure may be applied to these two rolls. To this end, opposite shaft end portions of the upper auxiliary squeeze roll 22 are rotatably supported in bearing slide blocks 105, 106 (FIG- URES 8, 10) which are in turn suitably supported for vertical sliding movement in downwardly extending arms of respective brackets 107, 108. The brackets 107, 108 are fixed on the respective bearing blocks 78, 79. The bearing slide blocks 105, 106 are fixed to the lower ends of piston rods 110, 111 extending downwardly from pressure cylinders 112, 113 which are fixed on angle brackets 114, 115 supported on the brackets 107, 108.

When the rolls 22, 23' are in the normal operating position shown in FIGURE 9, additional pressure may be applied on the upper squeeze roll 22 by means of the cylinders 113, 114. Also, the cylinders 113, 114 may be used to raise the roll 22' up to an inoperative position, independently of the position of the roll 23. The roll 23' is independently supported on the lower ends of the lever arms 74, '75 (FIGURE 10) so that it may be pressed against the roll 21' with the desired pressure by cylinders 84, 85'.

Thus, the air cylinders 84', 85' can be used to apply any desired amount of pressure between the lower auxiliary roll 23' and the second main squeeze roll 21 while the cylinders 113, 114 can be used to apply any desired amount of pressure on the upper auxiliary squeeze roll 22 and against the second main squeeze roll 21. The first main squeeze roll 20 may be moved inwardly into pressure engagement with the upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls 22, 23 in the same manner as that described in connection with the first embodiment of size box shown in FIGURES 17.

With the roll 22' raised to inoperative position, by means of cylinders 113, 114, and with roll 24' raised, the size box may be operated to apply two squeezes to the yarn Y as it passes therethrough. Two squeezes can also be applied to the yarn by raising roll 22 and swinging roll 20' out of the way. Then, the yarn would extend straight down beneath the roll 23' and up over roll 21', being squeezed by rolls 23 and 24' against roll 21'.

This second form of size box may even be operated to apply a single squeezing action to the yarn Y. In this case, the rolls 22 and 24' are raised, and the roll 20 is back out of engagement with roll 23 so that the yarn extends directly beneath the roll 23' and over the roll 21'. Also, the amount of pressure applied at the differ ent nips may be individually varied to obtain the desired resulk. The auxiliary squeeze rolls 22', 23' may be easily raised to inspect the same, cut laps therefrom, etc., by swinging the first main squeeze roll 20 rearwardly, and then operating the jacks 90', 91 to raise the bearing blocks 78', 79. As the rolls 22', 23 are raised, any slack in the yarns Y will be taken up by the take-up rod 43' as the main squeeze roll 20' is moved rearwardly and out of contact with the yarns Y.

One or more of the rolls, such as the upper squeeze rolls 24, 24 may be covered with a suitable mixture of rubber and Teflon so that the amount of size which adheres to the roll will be reduced. In some instances, it may be desirable to cover the rolls 20, 20' with a rubber coating to reduce the amount of heat transfer from the heated size solution and thereby prevent the drying and baking of the size on the roll, when it becomes necessary to stop operation of the size box.

If drying and baking of the size on the second main squeeze roll becomes a problem, a guide roll may be provided to run against the upper squeeze roll and the yarns passed thereover so that they pass directly out of the nip of the upper auxiliary roll and the second main squeeze roll without contacting the peripheral surface of the second main squeeze roll. After the yarns pass over the guide roll, they remain in engagement with the surface of the upper squeeze roll until they pass through the final nip with the second main squeeze roll.

In each embodiment of the present size box, the yarn is drawn into the size box in a dry state since it does not contact the size until it passes through the nips of the first main squeeze roll and the upper auxiliary squeeze roll. After the yarn is contacted by the size, it is constantly in engagement with surface of a roll throughout its travel through the size box so that it is not stretched while in a wet condition. This constant engagement with a roll surface insures that the yarns remain in position and prevents sidewise movement of the yarns so that they maintain their properly spaced relationship throughout their travel through the size box.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

I claim:

1. A size box adapted to contain a supply of sizing solution therein and including (a) a main squeeze roll;

(b) a pair of vertically aligned and spaced apart upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls supported with the peripheral surfaces of each auxiliary squeeze roll normally forming nips with said main squeeze roll, said lower auxiliary squeeze roll being at least partially submerged in the sizing solution;

() means for imparting movement to said auxiliary squeeze rolls toward said main squeeze roll and for creating pressure engagement between said main squeeze roll and said auxiliary squeeze rolls to form a pair of yarn squeezing nips therebetween; and

(d) guide means for directing a sheet of textile yarns into said size box, beneath said lower auxiliary squeeze roll, through the nip of said lower auxiliary squeeze roll with said main squeeze roll, and through the nip of said main squeeze roll with said upper auxiliary squeeze roll.

2. A size box according to claim 1 including (e) an upper main squeeze roll supported in vertical alignment above said main squeeze roll, and

(f) means for imparting movement to said upper main squeeze roll toward said main squeeze roll and for creating pressure engagement between said main squeeze roll and said upper main squeeze roll to form a third yarn squeezing nip through which the yarn passes at it leaves the size box.

3. A size box adapted to contain a supply of sizing solution therein and including (a) first and second spaced apart main squeeze rolls at least partially submerged in the sizing solution;

(b) means supporting said main squeeze rolls for rotation at substantially the same horizontal level and for moving one of said main squeeze rolls toward and away from the other main squeeze roll;

(0) a pair of vertically aligned and spaced apart upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls supported between said first and second main squeeze rolls with the peripheral surfaces of each auxiliary squeeze roll normally forming nips with said first and second main squeeze rolls;

(d) means for imparting movement to said one main squeeze roll toward said other main squeeze roll and for creating pressure engagement between said main squeeze rolls and said auxiliary squeeze rolls to form four yarn squeezing nips therebetween; and

(e) guide means for directing a sheet of textile yarns into said size box, through the nip of said first main squeeze roll with said upper auxiliary squeeze roll, through the nips of said lower auxiliary squeeze roll with said first main squeeze roll, beneath said lower auxiliary squeeze roll, through the nip of said lower auxiliary squeeze roll with said second main squeeze roll, and through the nip of said second main squeeze roll with said upper auxiliary squeeze roll.

4. A size box according to claim 3 wherein said guide means (e) includes a guide roll supported in advance of the nip of said upper auxiliary squeeze roll with said first main squeeze roll and being positioned to direct the yarns in a perpendicular direction through said nip whereby the yarns do not engage the peripheral surfaces of said upper auxiliary squeeze roll or said first main squeeze roll prior to entrance into said nip.

5. A size box according to claim 3 wherein the size level is maintained slightly above the level of said lower auxiliary squeeze roll, and wherein the squeeze rolls provide an enclosed confining chamber between the squeeze rolls, the confining chamber being open only at opposing ends of the rolls.

6. A size box according to claim 3 wherein said second main squeeze roll is supported for rotation in a fixed position and said first main squeeze roll is supported for movement toward and away from said second main squeeze roll.

7. A size box according to claim 6 including an upper main squeeze roll supported in vertical alignment above said second main squeeze roll, and means for imparting pressure engagement of said upper main squeeze roll with said second main squeeze roll to form a fifth yarn squeezing nip through which the yarn passes as it leaves the size box.

8. A size box according to claim 6 including a size tank and wherein said means (b) includes bearing support swing arms extending down inside said size tank and rotatably supporting said first main squeeze roll at their lower ends, means supporting the upper ends of said bearing support swing arms for pivotal movement above said size tank, and means positioned outside of said size tank for imparting movement to said bearing support swing arms to thereby selectively move said first main squeeze roll toward and away from said second main squeeze roll.

9. A size box according to claim 6 including means for lifting said upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls to permit inspection of said lower auxiliary squeeze roll after movement of said first main squeeze roll away from said second main squeeze roll.

10. A size box according to claim 6 including means for maintaining pressure engagement of said upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls against said second main squeeze roll after movement of said first main squeeze roll away from said second main squeeze roll.

11. A size box according to claim 6 including a size tank and auxiliary squeeze roll support means comprising vertically extending equalizer support brackets positioned inside said size tank and rotatably supporting opposite ends of said upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls in the respective upper and lower ends thereof, and operating levers extending down inside said size tank and supporting medial portions of said equalizer brackets on their lower ends, and means supporting the upper ends of said operating levers for pivotal movement above said size tank.

12. A size box according to claim 11 including means for maintaining pressure engagement of said upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls against said second main squeeze roll and wherein said pressure maintaining means includes lever arms positioned outside of said size tank and operatively connected to said operating levers, and means for applying pressure to said lever arms to press said upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls against said second main squeeze roll.

13. A size box adapted to contain a supply of sizing solution therein and including (a) a main squeeze roll at least partially submerged in the sizing solution;

(b) a pair of vertically aligned and spaced apart upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls supported with the peripheral surfaces of each auxiliary squeeze roll normally forming nips with said main squeeze roll;

(0) means for imparting movement to said upper auxiliary roll toward said main squeeze roll and for creating pressure engagement between said main squeeze roll and said upper auxiliary squeeze roll to form a yarn squeezing nip therebetween;

(d) means for imparting movement to said lower auxiliary squeeze roll toward said main squeeze roll and for creating pressure engagement between said main squeeze roll and said lower auxiliary squeeze roll to form a yarn squeezing nip therebetween; and

(e) guide means for directing a sheet of textile yarns into said size box, beneath said lower auxiliary squeeze roll, through the nip of said lower auxiliary squeeze roll with said main squeeze roll, and through the nip of said main squeeze roll with said upper auxiliary squeeze roll.

14. A size box adapted to contain a supply of sizing solution therein and including (a) first and second spaced apart main squeeze rolls at least partially submerged in the sizing solution;

(b) means supporting said main squeeze rolls for rotation at substantially the same horizontal level and for moving said first main squeeze roll toward and away from the second main squeeze roll;

(c) a pair of vertically aligned and spaced apart upper and lower auxiliary squeeze rolls positioned between said first and second main squeeze rolls with the peripheral surfaces of each auxiliary squeeze roll normally forming nips with said first and second main squeeze rolls;

(d) means for imparting movement to said first main squeeze roll toward said second main squeeze roll and for creating pressure engagement between said main squeeze rolls and said auxiliary squeeze rolls to form four yarn squeezing nips therebetween;

(e) means for imparting movement to said upper auxiliary roll toward said second main squeeze roll and to increase the pressure engagement between said second main squeeze roll and said upper auxiliary squeeze roll, seaid means being operable to raise said upper auxiliary squeeze roll out of engagement with said main squeeze rolls;

(f) means for imparting movement to said lower auxiliary squeeze roll toward said second main squeeze roll and to increase the pressure engagement between said second main squeeze roll and said lower auxiliary squeeze roll;

(g) means supporting said lower auxiliary squeeze roll and being operable to raise said lower auxiliary squeeze roll when said first main squeeze roll is moved away from said second squeeze roll; and

(h) guide means for directing a sheet of textile yarns into said size box, over said first main squeeze roll, beneath said lower auxiliary squeeze roll, through the nip of said lower auxiliary squeeze roll with said second main squeeze roll, and through the nip of said second main squeeze roll with said upper auxiliary squeeze roll.

15. A size box according to claim 14 wherein said means (i) includes vertically disposed lever arms rotatably supporting opposite ends of said lower auxiliary squeeze roll at their lower ends, and means for applying pressure to said lever arms to press said lower auxiliary squeeze roll against said second main squeeze roll.

16. A size box according to claim 14 wherein said support mean (g) includes a vertically disposed jack supporting each of said lever arms, and means for raising and lowering said jacks to raise and lower said lower auxiliary squeeze roll.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,036,359 5/1962 Cocker a 2828 3,076,724 2/1963 Freeze et a1 28-28 X 3,396,444 8/1968 Grifiin 28--28 LOUIS K. RIMRODT, Primary Examiner. 

